19 Tips to Boost Confidence Right Now, Because You're Awesome

19 Tips to Boost Confidence Right Now, Because You're Awesome

Like finding the perfect pair of jeans or getting to inbox zero, confidence is a pretty elusive thing. But without it, it’s all too easy to fall down the rabbit hole of self-doubt and negativity. And this not only hurts us on a personal level (anxiety, depression, membership to the lonely heart’s club), but it can also put a damper on our professional success. That’s why we made it our mission to find self-confidence shortcuts.

We searched high and low for the 19 best ways to power past insecurities and doubts, and we have to say: they're pretty darn awesome. Consider these tips your booster rockets to soar over the toughest situations—whether it’s rocking a first date or acing an interview—with swagger.

3. Give me a “V”!

Though generally a part of a cheerleader’s repertoire, throwing your hands up in the air is a pretty spectacular power pose. While you can’t bust this move out anytime anywhere, just two minutes in a wide stance with your hands in the air will give you an instant confidence boost—you might even want to invent your own pep rally cheer. (No, really. See number 10.)

4. Nod along.

Nodding your head isn’t just good for signaling “yes” or warming up in a group fitness class. Research suggests that the up-and-down movement may actually improve confidence in your thoughts, so feel free to nod away whenever you need an extra boost Overt head movements and persuasion: a self-validation analysis. Briñol P, Petty RE. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. 2003 Jun;84(6):1123-39.. Just think of this as a way of signaling, “yes we can” to your brain.

6. Deal with failure.

The great Michael Jordan once said, “I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” And it’s that kind of mentality—being able to live with failure and learn from it—that helps you build self-confidence, says executive coach Marshall Goldsmith, Ph.D., author of What You Got Here Won’t Get You There.

7. Be a pal.

Fact: Life would be way less fun without friends. Not only do besties provide impromptu dance parties, secret handshakes, and giggles galore, but they also improve both self-confidence and self-worth, according to the Mayo Clinic. (Check out these 16 tips on how to make new friends and keep the old.) And the next time you need a boost, reach out to your inner circle for confirmation that you’re having a good hair day.

8. Snap a #selfie.

Though selfies get a bad rap for leaning toward the narcissistic end of the confidence spectrum, they may actually be a good thing. Sixty-five percent of teen girls surveyed by TODAY/AOL said that seeing their faces on a social platform actually makes them feel more confident. Consider this the green light to snap, filter, and post—just keep in mind that the survey isn’t super scientific, so it may not be everyone’s best line of defense when it comes to a confidence boost. But, hey, a flattering pic never hurts!

9. Embrace your superstitions.

Go ahead and rock your lucky jersey or favorite charm bracelet. Science suggests that having these kinds of tokens leads to improved performance and setting loftier goals—all by boosting your self-confidence Keep Your Fingers Crossed! How Superstition Improves Performance. Lysann Damisch, Barbara Stoberock, and Thomas Mussweiler. Psuchological Science. Nov. 6, 2009.. And the confidence link doesn’t just exist with physical objects. Performing rituals, like rocking out to Led Zeppelin before hitting the race trail, for example, is also believed to increase confidence as well as decrease anxiety.

10. Break a sweat.

Nope, we’ll never get tired of saying it: Exercise is good for you! Apart from the many, many physical benefits, it also does a mind good. Case in point: One study suggests working out regularly can lead to more confidence (and less stress) "Want a better work-life balance? Exercise, study finds." Dick Jones Communications. ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 9 January 2014.. And yet more research notes that exercise in general leads to a confidence boost (independent of how hard you worked out) Effects of exercise interventions on body image: a meta-analysis. Heather A. Hausenblas. Journal of Health Psychology. 10/2009; 14(6):780-93. DOI: 10.. Translation: What seems to matter—as far as confidence goes—is whether you break a sweat in general, not how strenuous your session is.

12. Visualize.

Enlist your imagination to boost your confidence. Experts believe that having solid mental practices—like picturing yourself scoring the winning goal or even going through a tough workout—can lead to greater feelings of self-assurance and prep your brain for a successful outcome. Try setting a super specific goal—be as detailed as possible (one study suggests that the more detailed your vision of future success, the more confident you’ll feel Upward Self-Revision: Constructing Possible Selves. Patrick J. Carroll. Basic and Applied Social Psychology. Published online: 25 Sep 2014)—and imagine that you’ve achieved it. Throw in a positive affirmation, and go through this practice right before or right after you hit the sheets for sleep, ideally while looking at yourself in the mirror (e.g. putting on makeup or brushing your teeth) so that you can literally tell yourself what you’ll accomplish and why you rock.

14. Practice, practice, practice.

Even if you’re blessed with oodles of natural talent, the ability to succeed and feel confident doesn’t rely on that alone. In fact, experts suggest that practicing for a task or responsibility is more important than simply relying on your gifts. Prepping for the task at-hand (whether it’s a going through a presentation, practicing public speaking, etc.) will boost your confidence and improve the quality of your work. Bottom line: dress rehearsals aren’t just for drama troupes.

16. Get comfortable being uncomfortable.

The time for risk-taking is NOW. Basically, we have control over how big our comfort zone is, according to Becky Blalock, a former Fortune 500 exec. When you take risks regularly, your comfort zone expands, she says. “Even doing something seemingly small every day will lead you to something bigger,” says Nancy Vito, a transformational coach. “You will grow and will begin to feel unstoppable.” Perfect example: for a recent study, researchers asked participants to talk to strangers on their commute to see whether it would be a positive experience Mistakenly seeking solitude. Epley, Nicholas; Schroeder, Juliana Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, Vol 143(5), Oct 2014, 1980-1999.. The outcome? This simple, small (yet admittedly courageous) act made their commute more positive.

17. Just say f*** it!

You can now use “confidence-building” as an excuse for all your salty language. Experts believe that swearing may make us feel empowered, and thus boost our confidence and self-esteem. Just be sure to be selective with the timing of your expletives—dropping F-bombs at work, around conservative family members, or in other proper or professional settings won't do anyone any good. (There are other ways to drop the mic. Check out number 15!)

18. Cherish compliments.

While research shows that overpraise may make you feel worse about yourself, there’s still something to be said for receiving a genuine, heartfelt, and deserved compliment. In fact, experts believe that hearing words of praise leads to a boost in self-esteem and self-confidence “That’s Not Just Beautiful—That’s Incredibly Beautiful!” The Adverse Impact of Inflated Praise on Children With Low Self-Esteem. Eddie Brummelman, Sander Thomaes, Bram Orobio de Castro, Geertjan Overbeek, and Brad J. Bushman. Psychological Science January 16, 2014 0956797613514251.. So save those sincere birthday cards, performance reviews, and even emails from mom and read them back to yourself when you need a shot of confidence.

19. Crack a smile.

If there’s one, instant way to boost your confidence, it’s cracking a smile. Flashing those pearly whites will make you appear both confident and composed, according to Christine Clapp, a public speaking expert at The George Washington University. But the effect isn’t just external: Science suggests that smiling can help nix feelings of stress, which may pave the way for happier and more relaxed feelings. And hey, while you’re smiling, go ahead and flirt with the cute guy or gal you see during your morning commute to triple your confidence score—and maybe land a date in the process.